This was a staple in my home growing up in Dublin. Original Irish soda bread recipes contained nothing more than flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt. Since the flours are different to that in Ireland, it took me some time to perfect the right Irish Soda Bread recipe.  Legend has it that, in some areas of Ireland, a cross was cut on the top of the Irish soda bread with a knife to ward off the devil and protect the household. This resulted in a loaf that was dense, slightly sour, and with a hard crust. Traditional Irish soda bread is heartier than most yeast breads. Irish soda bread pairs well with soups and stews, or just slattered with good quality butter.